Physiological monitoring methods and apparatus

ABSTRACT

An earpiece module includes a plurality of sensor regions, each sensor region contoured to matingly engage a respective different region of an ear of a subject, and each sensor region including an electrode. The earpiece module is configured to detect or measure physiological information about the subject from the different ear regions via the respective electrodes.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/820,910, filed Aug. 7, 2015, which is adivisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/272,965,filed May 8, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,131,312, which is a continuationapplication of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/159,156, filed Jan.20, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,973,415, which is a divisionalapplication of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/692,807, filed Jan.25, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,647,270, which claims the benefit of andpriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/208,567 filedFeb. 25, 2009, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/208,574 filedFeb. 25, 2009, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/212,444 filedApr. 13, 2009, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/274,191filed Aug. 14, 2009, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference as if set forth in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to health and environmentalmonitoring and, more particularly, to health and environmentalmonitoring apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is growing market demand for personal health and environmentalmonitors, for example, for gauging overall health and metabolism duringexercise, athletic training, dieting, daily life activities, sickness,and physical therapy. However, traditional health monitors andenvironmental monitors may be bulky, rigid, and uncomfortable—generallynot suitable for use during daily physical activity. There is alsogrowing interest in generating and comparing health and environmentalexposure statistics of the general public and particular demographicgroups. For example, collective statistics may enable the healthcareindustry and medical community to direct healthcare resources to wherethey are most highly valued. However, methods of collecting thesestatistics may be expensive and laborious, often utilizing human-basedrecording/analysis steps at multiple sites.

As such, improved ways of collecting, storing and analyzingphysiological information are needed. In addition, improved ways ofseamlessly extracting physiological information from a person duringeveryday life activities, especially during high activity levels, may beimportant for enhancing fitness training and healthcare quality,promoting and facilitating prevention, and reducing healthcare costs.

SUMMARY

It should be appreciated that this Summary is provided to introduce aselection of concepts in a simplified form, the concepts being furtherdescribed below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is notintended to identify key features or essential features of thisdisclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the invention.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a monitoringapparatus includes a housing that is configured to be attached to a bodyof a subject, and that has a sensor region that is configured to contacta selected area of the body of the subject when the housing is attachedto the body of the subject. The sensor region is contoured (i.e., is“form-fitted”) to matingly engage the selected body area. The apparatusincludes at least one physiological sensor that is associated with thesensor region and that detects and/or measures physiological informationfrom the subject and/or at least one environmental sensor associatedwith the sensor region that is configured to detect and/or measureenvironmental information. The sensor region contour stabilizes thephysiological and/or environmental sensor(s) relative to the selectedbody area such that subject motion does not negatively impact detectionand/or measurement efforts of the sensor(s). In some embodiments, thesensor region contour stabilizes the housing of the monitoring apparatuswhen the housing is attached to the body of the subject. An exemplarymonitoring apparatus, according to embodiments of the present inventionis a headset having an earbud module and wherein the sensor region is aportion of the housing of the earbud module.

The sensor region of a monitoring apparatus, according to someembodiments of the present invention, can have various characteristics.For example, in some embodiments, at least a portion of the sensorregion is detachable from the housing. In some embodiments, at least aportion of the sensor region is configured to block energy transferredbetween the subject and a physiological sensor. In some embodiments, atleast a portion of the sensor region is configured to guide energytransferred between the subject and a physiological sensor. For example,the sensor region may include a lens that is configured to focus lighttransferred between the subject and a physiological sensor.

In some embodiments of the present invention, a monitoring apparatushousing may have a plurality of sensor regions, each configured tocontact a respective selected area of the body of a subject when thehousing is attached to the body of the subject. Each sensor region iscontoured (i.e., “form-fitted”) to matingly engage a respective selectedbody area. One or more physiological sensors may be associated with eachsensor region and configured to detect and/or measure physiologicalinformation from the subject.

In some embodiments, at least one sensor region of a monitoringapparatus has one or more sensors associated therewith that areconfigured to measure motion of the subject. Sensors for measuringmotion may include, but are not limited to, sensors that measure changesin one or more of the following: inertia, capacitance, electricalconductivity, inductance, speed, distance, acceleration, andelectromagnetic radiation.

In some embodiments, a sensor region of a monitoring apparatus mayinclude a cover that is detachably secured to the sensor region. In someembodiments, the cover may be configured to regulate energy transferredbetween the subject and the physiological sensor. For example, the covermay be configured to block or filter certain types of energy.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a monitoringapparatus includes a housing that is configured to be attached to a bodyof a subject, a physiological sensor supported by the housing andconfigured to detect and/or measure physiological information from thesubject, and a plurality of interchangeable articles, each configured tobe removably secured to the housing one at a time and each having arespective different shape. Each article is adapted to contact aselected body area when the housing is attached to the body of thesubject, and the physiological sensor detects and/or measuresphysiological information from the subject via each article whenremovably secured to the housing. In some embodiments, each article iscontoured to matingly engage the selected body area. The contour of eacharticle may stabilize the housing when the housing is attached to thebody of the subject. In some embodiments, each interchangeable articlemay include one or more physiological and/or environmental sensors.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, an earbud for aheadset includes a housing that is configured to be positioned within anear of a subject. The housing includes a sensor region that isconfigured to contact a selected area of the ear when the housing isattached to the ear of the subject. At least one physiological sensor isassociated with the sensor region that detects and/or measuresphysiological information from the subject and/or at least oneenvironmental sensor is associated with the sensor region and isconfigured to detect and/or measure environmental information. Thesensor region is contoured to matingly engage the selected ear area andto stabilize the physiological and/or environmental sensor(s) relativeto the selected ear area. In some embodiments, the sensor region contourstabilizes the housing when the housing is attached to the ear of thesubject.

The sensor region of a monitoring apparatus, according to someembodiments of the present invention, can have various characteristics.For example, in some embodiments, at least a portion of a sensor regionis detachable from the housing of the apparatus. In some embodiments, atleast a portion of a sensor region is configured to block energytransferred between the subject and a physiological sensor. In someembodiments, at least a portion of a sensor region is configured toguide energy transferred between the subject and a physiological sensor.For example, a sensor region may include a lens that is configured tofocus light transferred between the subject and a physiological sensor.

In some embodiments of the present invention, an earbud housing may havea plurality of sensor regions, each configured to contact a respectiveselected area of the ear of a subject when the housing is attached tothe ear of the subject. Each sensor region is contoured (i.e.,“form-fitted”) to matingly engage a respective selected ear area. One ormore physiological sensors may be associated with each sensor region andconfigured to detect and/or measure physiological information from thesubject. In some embodiments, at least one sensor region of an earbudhas one or more sensors associated therewith that are configured tomeasure motion of the subject. Sensors for measuring motion may include,but are not limited to, sensors that measure changes in one or more ofthe following: inertia, capacitance, electrical conductivity,inductance, speed, distance, acceleration, and electromagneticradiation.

In some embodiments, a sensor region of an earbud may include a coverthat is detachably secured to the sensor region. In some embodiments,the cover may be configured to regulate energy transferred between asubject and the physiological sensor. For example, the cover may beconfigured to block or filter certain types of energy.

Monitoring apparatus, according to the various embodiments of thepresent invention, may be utilized with mono headsets (i.e., headsetshaving one earbud) as well as stereo headsets (i.e., headsets having twoearbuds). Moreover, earbuds according to the various embodiments of thepresent invention may be utilized with hearing aids, body jewelry, orany other attachment that can be placed near the head region, such aseye glasses or shades, a headband, a cap, helmet, face mask, visor, orthe like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification,illustrate various embodiments of the present invention. The drawingsand description together serve to fully explain embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a monitoring device for physiological andenvironmental monitoring, according to some embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the anatomy of a human ear.

FIG. 3 illustrates a human ear with an earbud module attached thereto,according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a front plan view of the earbud module of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4B is a rear plan view of the earbud module of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is an exploded view of the earbud module of FIG. 4A with adetachable sensor region detached from the earbud housing, according tosome embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4D is an enlarged plan view of the detachable sensor region of FIG.4C.

FIG. 5A is a rear plan view of an earbud module, according to someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a front plan view of the earbud module of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C is a front plan view of an earbud module, according to someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a an exploded view of an earbud module and a plurality ofinterchangeable articles configured to be removably secured to theearbud module, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 7A-7B are plan views of a sensor region for a monitoringapparatus, such as the earbud module of FIG. 6, according to someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8A is a front plan view of an earbud module, according to someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8B is a bottom plan view of the earbud module of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8C is a front plan view of a detachable sensor region configured tobe removably secured to the earbud module of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8D is a bottom plan view of the detachable sensor region of FIG.8C.

FIG. 9A is a rear plan view of an earbud module, according to someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9B is a front plan view of the earbud module of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9C is an exploded side view of the earbud module of FIG. 9A and aheadset to which the earbud module is movably secured.

FIG. 10A is a side view of a headset and earbud module, according tosome embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10B is cross-sectional view of an earbud module for the headset ofFIG. 10A with a cover, according to some embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10C is cross-sectional view of an earbud module for the headset ofFIG. 10A with a cover, according to some embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11A is a rear plan view of an earbud module, according to someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 11B is a front plan view of the earbud module of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an optical sensor module, accordingto some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 13A is a side view of a headset having an earbud module, accordingto some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 13B illustrates the headset of FIG. 13A attached to an ear of asubject.

FIG. 14A is a perspective view of a headset with earmuffs and wherein anearmuff thereof includes a sensor region, according to some embodimentsof the present invention.

FIG. 14B illustrates the headset of FIG. 14A attached to an ear of asubject.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying figures, in which embodiments of theinvention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein. Like numbers refer to like elementsthroughout. In the figures, certain layers, components or features maybe exaggerated for clarity, and broken lines illustrate optionalfeatures or operations unless specified otherwise. In addition, thesequence of operations (or steps) is not limited to the order presentedin the figures and/or claims unless specifically indicated otherwise.Features described with respect to one figure or embodiment can beassociated with another embodiment or figure although not specificallydescribed or shown as such.

It will be understood that when a feature or element is referred to asbeing “on” another feature or element, it can be directly on the otherfeature or element or intervening features and/or elements may also bepresent. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being“directly on” another feature or element, there are no interveningfeatures or elements present. It will also be understood that, when afeature or element is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or“coupled” to another feature or element, it can be directly connected,attached or coupled to the other feature or element or interveningfeatures or elements may be present. In contrast, when a feature orelement is referred to as being “directly connected”, “directlyattached” or “directly coupled” to another feature or element, there areno intervening features or elements present. Although described or shownwith respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so describedor shown can apply to other embodiments. It will also be appreciated bythose of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature thatis disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap orunderlie the adjacent feature.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/orcomponents, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items and may beabbreviated as “/”.

Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”,“upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that thespatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in thefigures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” otherelements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements orfeatures. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both anorientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented(rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relativedescriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms“upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal” and the like are usedherein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicatedotherwise.

It will be understood that although the terms first and second are usedherein to describe various features/elements, these features/elementsshould not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used todistinguish one feature/element from another feature/element. Thus, afirst feature/element discussed below could be termed a secondfeature/element, and similarly, a second feature/element discussed belowcould be termed a first feature/element without departing from theteachings of the present invention.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will befurther understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the specification andrelevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overlyformal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Well-known functions orconstructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

The term “headset” includes any type of device or earpiece that may beattached to or near the ear (or ears) of a user and may have variousconfigurations, without limitation. Headsets incorporating “form-fitted”sensor regions, as described herein, may include mono headsets (oneearbud) and stereo headsets (two earbuds).

The term “real-time” is used to describe a process of sensing,processing, or transmitting information in a time frame which is equalto or shorter than the minimum timescale at which the information isneeded. For example, the real-time monitoring of pulse rate may resultin a single average pulse-rate measurement every minute, averaged over30 seconds, because an instantaneous pulse rate is often useless to theend user. Typically, averaged physiological and environmentalinformation is more relevant than instantaneous changes. Thus, in thecontext of the present invention, signals may sometimes be processedover several seconds, or even minutes, in order to generate a“real-time” response.

The term “monitoring” refers to the act of measuring, quantifying,qualifying, estimating, sensing, calculating, interpolating,extrapolating, inferring, deducing, or any combination of these actions.More generally, “monitoring” refers to a way of getting information viaone or more sensing elements. For example, “blood health monitoring”includes monitoring blood gas levels, blood hydration, andmetabolite/electrolyte levels.

The term “physiological” refers to matter or energy of or from the bodyof a subject (e.g., humans, animals, etc.). In embodiments of thepresent invention, the term “physiological” is intended to be usedbroadly, covering both physical and psychological matter and energy ofor from the body of a creature. However, in some cases, the term“psychological” is called-out separately to emphasize aspects ofphysiology that are more closely tied to conscious or subconscious brainactivity rather than the activity of other organs, tissues, or cells.

The term “body” refers to the body of a subject (human or animal) thatmay wear a form-fitted monitoring apparatus, according to embodiments ofthe present invention.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, monitoringapparatus containing one or more physiological and/or environmentalmonitors or sensors that have a shape or configuration that isform-fitted to a portion of the body of a subject are provided. The term“form-fitted” means that a monitoring apparatus, or one or more portionsthereof, has a specific shape or configuration for mating engagementwith a specific portion of the anatomy of a subject. This matingengagement provides stability that enhances monitoring efforts by thesensors associated therewith.

The ear is an ideal location for wearable health and environmentalmonitors. The ear is a relatively immobile platform that does notobstruct a person's movement or vision. Headsets located at an ear have,for example, access to the inner-ear canal and tympanic membrane (formeasuring core body temperature), muscle tissue (for monitoring muscletension), the pinna and earlobe (for monitoring blood gas levels), theregion behind the ear (for measuring skin temperature and galvanic skinresponse), and the internal carotid artery (for measuringcardiopulmonary functioning), etc. The ear is also at or near the pointof exposure to: environmental breathable toxicants of interest (volatileorganic compounds, pollution, etc.); noise pollution experienced by theear; and lighting conditions for the eye. Furthermore, as the ear canalis naturally designed for transmitting acoustical energy, the earprovides a good location for monitoring internal sounds, such asheartbeat, breathing rate, and mouth motion.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, monitoringapparatus with form-fitted portions for attachment to or near the ear ofa subject include various types of headsets, including wired or wirelessheadsets. Bluetooth®-enabled and/or other personal communicationheadsets may be configured to incorporate physiological and/orenvironmental sensors, according to some embodiments of the presentinvention. Bluetooth® headsets are typically lightweight, unobtrusivedevices that have become widely accepted socially. Moreover, Bluetooth®headsets may be cost effective, easy to use, and are often worn by usersfor most of their waking hours while attending or waiting for cell phonecalls. Bluetooth® headsets configured according to embodiments of thepresent invention are advantageous because they provide a function forthe user beyond health monitoring, such as personal communication andmultimedia applications, thereby encouraging user compliance withmonitoring. Exemplary physiological and environmental sensors that maybe incorporated into a Bluetooth® or other type of headsets include, butare not limited to accelerometers, acoustic sensors, auscultatorysensors, pressure sensors, humidity sensors, color sensors, lightintensity sensors, pressure sensors, etc.

Headsets, both mono (single earbud) and stereo (dual earbuds),incorporating low-profile sensors and other electronics, according toembodiments of the present invention, offer a platform for performingnear-real-time personal health and environmental monitoring in wearable,socially acceptable devices. The capability to unobtrusively monitor anindividual's physiology and/or environment, combined with improved usercompliance, is expected to have significant impact on future plannedhealth and environmental exposure studies. This is especially true forthose that seek to link environmental stressors with personal stresslevel indicators. The large scale commercial availability of a low-costheadset device can enable cost-effective large scale studies. Thecombination of monitored data with user location via GPS data can makeon-going geographic studies possible, including the tracking ofinfection over large geographic areas. The commercial application of theproposed platform encourages individual-driven health maintenance andpromotes a healthier lifestyle through proper caloric intake andexercise.

Accordingly, some embodiments of the present invention combine apersonal communications headset device with one or more physiologicaland/or environmental sensors. Embodiments of the present invention arenot limited to headsets that communicate wirelessly. In some embodimentsof the present invention, headsets configured to monitor an individual'sphysiology and/or environment may be wired to a device that storesand/or processes data. In some embodiments, this information may bestored on the headset itself.

Although some embodiments illustrated herein are devices, such asheadsets, that are configured to be attached at or near the ear of asubject, it is understood that form-fitted monitoring apparatusaccording to embodiments of the present invention can be utilized inproximity to any portion of the body of a subject, such as the limbs,torso, head, etc. In the case of an apparatus configured to sensephysiological and/or environmental information near the ear region of asubject, any part of such an earpiece/headset device may have aform-fitted configuration.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an earpiece module 100 that mayinclude a form-fitted portion for attachment at or near the ear of asubject, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Theillustrated earpiece module 100 includes one or more of the following:at least one physiological sensor 101, at least one environmental sensor102 (also referred to as an external energy sensor), at least one signalprocessor 103, at least one transmitter/receiver 104, at least one powersource 106, at least one communication & entertainment module 107, atleast one earpiece attachment component 105, and at least one housing108. Though the health and environmental sensor functionality can beobtained without the communication and entertainment module 107, havingthis additional module may promote use of the earpiece module 100 byusers. The illustrated earpiece module 100 is intended primarily forhuman use; however, the earpiece module 100 may also be configured foruse with other animals having ears sufficient to support an earpiece,such as primates, canines, felines, cattle, and most other mammals.

Earpiece monitoring apparatus according to embodiments of the presentinvention are not limited to the illustrated configuration of FIG. 1. Amonitoring apparatus according to embodiments of the present inventionmay have only one or more physiological sensors, only one or moreenvironmental sensors, or a combination of one or more physiological andenvironmental sensors. In some embodiments, a monitoring apparatus maynot have one or more of the following: an earpiece attachment component105, a communication and entertainment module 107, a signal processor103, or a transmitter/receiver 104.

A physiological sensor 101 can be any compact sensor for monitoring thephysiological functioning of the body, such as, but not limited to,sensors for monitoring: heart rate, pulse rate, breathing rate, bloodflow, VO₂, VO_(2max), blood oxygen, blood constituent levels, bloodglucose level, heartbeat signatures, cardio-pulmonary health, organhealth, metabolism, electrolyte type and concentration, physicalactivity, caloric intake, caloric metabolism, metabolomics, physical andpsychological stress levels and stress level indicators, physiologicaland psychological response to therapy, drug dosage and activity (drugdosimetry), physiological drug reactions, drug chemistry in the body,biochemistry, position & balance, body strain, neurological functioning,brain activity, brain waves, blood pressure, cranial pressure, hydrationlevel, auscultatory information, auscultatory signals associated withpregnancy, physiological response to infection, skin and core bodytemperature, eye muscle movement, blood volume, inhaled and exhaledbreath volume, physical exertion, exhaled breath physical and chemicalcomposition, the presence, identity, and concentration of viruses &bacteria, foreign matter in the body, internal toxins, heavy metals inthe body, anxiety, fertility, ovulation, sex hormones, psychologicalmood, sleep patterns, hunger & thirst, hormone type and concentration,cholesterol, lipids, blood panel, bone density, body fat density, muscledensity, organ and body weight, reflex response, sexual arousal, mentaland physical alertness, sleepiness, auscultatory information, responseto external stimuli, swallowing volume, swallowing rate, sickness, voicecharacteristics, tone, pitch, and volume of the voice, vital signs, headtilt, allergic reactions, inflammation response, auto-immune response,mutagenic response, DNA, proteins, protein or lactate levels in theblood, body hydration, water content of the blood, pheromones, internalbody sounds, digestive system functioning, cellular regenerationresponse, healing response, stem cell regeneration response, and thelike. Vital signs can include pulse rate, breathing rate, bloodpressure, pulse signature, body temperature, hydration level, skintemperature, and the like. A physiological sensor may include animpedance plethysmograph for measuring changes in volume within an organor body (usually resulting from fluctuations in the amount of blood orair it contains). For example, the earpiece module 100 may include animpedance plethysmograph to monitor blood pressure in real-time.

An external energy sensor 102, serving primarily as an environmentalsensor, can be any compact sensor for monitoring the externalenvironment in the vicinity of the body, such as, but not limited to,sensors for monitoring: climate, humidity, temperature, pressure,barometric pressure, pollution, automobile exhaust, soot density,airborne particle density, airborne particle size, airborne particleshape, airborne particle identity, volatile organic chemicals (VOCs),hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), carcinogens,toxins, electromagnetic energy (optical radiation, X-rays, gamma rays,microwave radiation, terahertz radiation, ultraviolet radiation,infrared radiation, radio waves, and the like), EMF energy, atomicenergy (alpha particles, beta-particles, gamma rays, and the like),gravity, light properties (such as intensity, frequency, flicker, andphase), ozone, carbon monoxide, greenhouse gases, CO₂, nitrous oxide,sulfides, airborne pollution, foreign material in the air, biologicalparticles (viruses, bacteria, and toxins), signatures from chemicalweapons, wind, air turbulence, sound and acoustical energy (both humanaudible and inaudible), ultrasonic energy, noise pollution, humanvoices, animal sounds, diseases expelled from others, the exhaled breathand breath constituents of others, toxins from others, bacteria &viruses from others, pheromones from others, industrial andtransportation sounds, allergens, animal hair, pollen, exhaust fromengines, vapors & fumes, fuel, signatures for mineral deposits or oildeposits, snow, rain, thermal energy, hot surfaces, hot gases, solarenergy, hail, ice, vibrations, traffic, the number of people in avicinity of the user, the number of people encountered throughout theday, other earpiece module users in the vicinity of the earpiece moduleuser, coughing and sneezing sounds from people in the vicinity of theuser, loudness and pitch from those speaking in the vicinity of theuser, and the like.

Because the illustrated earpiece module 100 is capable of measuring andtransmitting sensor information in real-time over a duration of time,the physiological and environmental sensors 101, 102 can be used tosense the aforementioned parameters over time, enabling a time-dependentanalysis of the user's health and environment as well as enabling acomparison between the user's health and environment. Combined withproximity or location detection, this allows an analysis for pinpointingthe location where environmental stress and physical strain took place.The signal processor 103 provides a means of converting the digital oranalog signals from the sensors 101, 102 into data that can betransmitted wirelessly by the transmitter 104. The signal processor 103may be composed of, for example, signal conditioners, amplifiers,filters, digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital converters, digitalencoders, modulators, mixers, multiplexers, transistors, variousswitches, microprocessors, or the like. For personal communication, thesignal processor 103 processes signals received by the receiver 104 intosignals that can be heard or viewed by the user. The received signalsmay also contain protocol information for linking various telemetricmodules together, and this protocol information can also be processed bythe signal processor 103. The signal processor 103 may utilize one ormore “compression/decompression” algorithms used in digital media(CODECs) for processing data. The transmitter/receiver 104 can becomprised of a variety of compact electromagnetic transmitters. Astandard compact antenna is used in the standard Bluetooth headsetprotocol, but any kind of electromagnetic antenna suitable fortransmitting at human-safe electromagnetic frequencies may be utilized.The transmitter/receiver 104 can also be an antenna. In someembodiments, the receiving antenna and the transmitting antenna arephysically the same. The receiver/transmitter 104 can be, for example, anon-line-of-sight (NLOS) optical scatter transmission system. Thesesystems typically use short-wave (blue or UV) optical radiation or“solar blind” (deep-UV) radiation in order to promote optical scatter,but IR wavelengths can also suffice. Additionally, a sonic or ultrasonictransmitter can be used as the receiver/transmitter 104 of the earpiecemodule 100, but preferably using sounds that are higher or lower thanthe human hearing range. A variety of sonic and ultrasonic receivers andtransmitters are available in the marketplace and may be utilized inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention.

In some embodiments, the transmitter/receiver 104 is configured totransmit signals from a signal processor 103 to a remote terminalfollowing a predetermined time interval. For example, thetransmitter/receiver 104 may delay transmission until a certain amountof detection time has elapsed, until a certain amount of processing timehas elapsed, etc.

The power source 106 can be any portable power source capable of fittinginside the earpiece module housing 108. According to some embodiments,the power source 106 is a portable rechargeable lithium-polymer orzinc-air battery. Additionally, portable energy-harvesting power sourcescan be integrated into the earpiece module 100 and can serve as aprimary or secondary power source. For example, a solar cell module canbe integrated into the earpiece module 100 for collecting and storingsolar energy. Additionally, piezoelectric devices ormicroelectromechanical systems (MEMS) can be used to collect and storeenergy from body movements, electromagnetic energy, and other forms ofenergy in the environment or from the user himself. A thermoelectric orthermovoltaic device can be used to supply some degree of power fromthermal energy or temperature gradients. In some embodiments, a crankingor winding mechanism can be used to store mechanical energy forelectrical conversion or to convert mechanical energy into electricalenergy that can be used immediately or stored for later.

The various components describe above are configured to fit within theearpiece housing 108 and/or be attached thereto. The earpiece housing108 may be formed from any safe and comfortable solid material, such asmetal, rubber, wood, polymers, ceramic, organic materials, or variousforms of plastic. The earpiece attachment component 105 is attached tothe earpiece housing 108 and is designed to fit around or near the ear.For example, the standard Bluetooth headset includes an earpieceattachment that is connected to the headset housing via a double-jointedsocket, to provide comfort and positioning flexibility for the user. Insome embodiments, the earpiece attachment component 105 can be part ofthe housing 108, such that the entire earpiece module is one largelyinflexible, rigid unit. In such case, a counterweight may beincorporated into the earpiece module 100 to balance the weight of theearpiece electronics and power source. In some embodiments, the earpieceattachment component 105 can contain physiological and environmentalsensors, and the earpiece attachment component 105 may be detachable. Insome embodiments, more than one earpiece attachment 105 can be attachedto the earpiece module housing 108.

FIG. 2 illustrates relevant anatomy of a human ear E. The anti tragusregion is a particularly motion insensitive region for measuringphysiological information from the ear during normal life activities. Incontrast, a number of ear regions are particularly motion sensitive. Forexample, the ear canal, tragus, concha, helix, triangular fossa,intertragic notch, and neighboring regions may be particularly motionsensitive regions, especially when a person speaks, jogs, runs, etc.Placing sensors at these regions can be useful for generating signalsthat are entirely or mostly associated with motion only, with little (ifany) signals associated with physiological information, or withcontributions from both motion and physiological information. Thesesignals can then be combined to generate a signal more closelyassociated with physiological information.

FIG. 3 illustrates a monitoring apparatus 200, according to someembodiments of the present invention, attached to a human ear E. Themonitoring apparatus 200 is an earbud module and is illustrated anddescribed in more detail with respect to FIGS. 4A-4D.

The illustrated monitoring apparatus 200 of FIG. 4A includes a housing202 that is configured to be attached to the ear E of a subject, andthat has a sensor region 204 that is configured to contact a selectedarea of the ear E when the housing 202 is attached to the ear E. Thesensor region 204 is contoured (i.e., is “form-fitted”) to matinglyengage a portion of the ear E between the anti tragus and acousticmeatus. As known to those skilled in the art, the region of the ear Ebetween the anti tragus and the acoustic meatus contains a network ofblood vessels that contain physiological information. Applicants haveunexpectedly discovered that the this region of the ear E is resistantto motion artifacts. The housing 202 has a front or outer surface 202 aand a rear or inner surface 202 b. An elongated, hollow tube 206 extendsoutwardly from the housing rear surface 202 b, as illustrated, and isconfigured to be inserted within the ear canal of an ear E.

In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor region 204 may be removableand may be replaced with a sensor region having a different contour. Inother embodiments, the sensor region may be a fixed portion of theapparatus 200. Because the shape of the region of an ear E between theanti tragus and the acoustic meatus may vary from subject to subject, asensor region 204 can be selected that has a contour that best alignswith the contour of any given subject's ear. The illustrated sensorregion 204 is removably secured to the housing 202 via a connector 208(FIG. 4C) which is configured to allow ready removal and attachmentfrom/to the housing 202. Various types of connectors may be utilizedwithout limitation, and embodiments of the present invention are notlimited to any particular type of connector.

As illustrated in FIG. 4D, the removable sensor region 204 containsphysiological sensors 101 and environmental sensors 102, as describedabove. The physiological sensors 101 detect and/or measure physiologicalinformation from the subject and the environmental sensors 102 detectand/or measure environmental information, such as the ambientenvironment surrounding the person, environmental exposures by theperson, environmental energy reaching the person, or the like. However,embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the illustratedremovable sensor region with three physiological sensors 101 and twoenvironmental sensors 102. As described above, one or more physiologicalsensors and/or one or more environmental sensors may be utilized. Insome embodiments, one or more of the sensors 101, 102 may be configuredto measure motion of a subject. Sensors for measuring motion mayinclude, but are not limited to, sensors that measure changes in one ormore of the following: inertia, capacitance, electrical conductivity,inductance, speed, distance, acceleration, and electromagneticradiation.

In the illustrated embodiment, the sensors 101, 102 are embedded withinthe sensor region 204. The connector 208 may provide electrical contactbetween the sensors 101, 102 and another component(s) within the housing202, such as a processor (103, FIG. 1), transmitter/receiver (104, FIG.1), etc. In other embodiments, one or more of the sensors 101, 102 maybe positioned on the surface 204 a of the sensor region 204, or may belocated at another region of the housing 202 in proximity to the sensorregion 204.

Sensors 101, 102 utilized in or relative to sensor regions 204,according to embodiments of the present invention, are not limited tobeing in a planar configuration relative to each other. Sensors 101, 102may be arranged in virtually any configuration on, within, and/orrelative to a sensor region 204. In some embodiments two or more sensors101, 102 may be arranged at angles to each other. In some embodiments,one or more sensors 101, 102 may be exposed via one or more openings orapertures in a sensor region 204. As a specific example, having anoptical emitter and optical detector at an angle from each other (suchas a 45 degree angle) may be helpful in reducing unwanted opticalscatter from being detected by the optical detector. In this way, theoptical energy reaching the optical detector may contain a greater ratioof physiological information with respect to optical scatter.

The sensor region contour stabilizes the physiological and/orenvironmental sensor(s) 101, 102 relative to the ear E such that subjectmotion does not negatively impact detection and/or measurement effortsof the sensor(s) 101, 102. In addition, the contour of the illustratedsensor region 204 stabilizes the housing 202 of the monitoring apparatus200 when the housing 202 is attached to the ear E of a subject.

The sensor region 204 can have various characteristics. For example, insome embodiments, at least a portion of the sensor region 204 may beconfigured to block energy transferred between the subject and aphysiological sensor 101. In some embodiments, at least a portion of thesensor region 204 may be configured to guide energy transferred betweenthe subject and a physiological sensor 101. For example, the sensorregion 204 may include a lens that is configured to focus lighttransferred between the subject and a physiological sensor. In someembodiments, the sensor region 204 may include a cover (not shown) thatis detachably secured to the sensor region 204. The cover may beconfigured to regulate energy transferred between the subject and asensor 101, 102 via the sensor region 204. For example, the cover may beconfigured to block or filter certain types of energy. In someembodiments, the sensor region 204 may be configured to modulate energytransferred between a blocked region and one or more sensors. As aspecific example, the sensor region 204 may contain a material orstructure that moves in response to physical motion, thereby modulatingenergy between a blocked region and a sensor.

Referring now to FIGS. 7A-7B, a sensor region 204 for a monitoringapparatus 200, according to some embodiments of the present invention,is illustrated. The sensor region 204 may be a detachable sensor regionas illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4D. The sensor region 204 may also be a nondetachable portion of the housing of a monitoring device. Theillustrated sensor region 204 includes at least one sensor (e.g.,physiological sensor 101, environmental sensor 102) such as an opticalsensor, embedded therewithin. The illustrated sensor region 204 alsoincludes at least one energy regulating region 214 that is configured tomanipulate optical energy moving to and/or from a physiological regionof interest. Examples of energy manipulation include, but or not limitedto, blocking, guiding, concentrating, accelerating/decelerating,diffusing, focusing, frequency-converting, scattering, filtering, andreflecting the energy. In some embodiments, the energy regulating region214 may be applied to all or a portion of a sensor 101, 102 (or to aportion of the sensor region 204). For example, as illustrated in FIG.7A, the energy regulating region 214 blocks light entirely from theoptical sensor 101, 102. In this embodiment, the structure of FIG. 7Amay serve as a noise sensor (noise source) for sensing body motion. Thisstructure may be located at several regions along the earbud or alongother parts of the body to sense motion and provide motion noiseinformation that can be subtracted from other physiological sensors toprovide a signal that is at least partially removed of motion artifacts.In other embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, a portion of theoptical sensor 101, 102 is blocked by the energy regulating region 214such that the light cannot reach a physiological region of interest. Inthis way, light may pass from at least one optical emitting element ofthe sensor 101 to the energy regulating region 214 and scatter to bedetected by at least one optical detecting element of the sensor 101,102. In some embodiments where the sensor region 204 is not rigid, thisscattered light can be indicative of motion artifacts. This scatteredlight can be compared with light scattering from a physiological regionto extract the physiological signal from unwanted motion artifacts.Similarly, the scattered light from the energy regulating region 214 canprovide information on motion without corruption from physiologicalinformation.

In another embodiment, the energy regulating region 214 may filter lightof one or more particular wavelength ranges, such that only certainwavelengths reach the skin. For example, if the energy regulating regionincorporates an optical filter for passing only IR light to reach theskin, visible wavelengths emitted by one or more optical emitters willnot reach the skin. In this way, visible wavelengths may be scatteredand this scattering intensity may be indicative of physical motion. Incontrast, the IR light scattering from the skin may have its intensitymodulated by both physiological changes and motion-related changes.Thus, visible scattered light can be compared with IR light scatteringfrom a physiological region to extract the physiological signal fromunwanted motion artifacts. Similarly, the scattered light from theenergy regulating region 214 can provide information on motion withoutcorruption from physiological information.

Sensor 101, 102 in FIGS. 7A-7B need not be an optical sensor and theenergy regulating region 214 need not be optical in nature. For example,sensor 101, 102 may be a capacitive sensor that can measure changes inelectric field, where the electric field is selectively blocked by theenergy regulating region 214 of sufficiently dissimilar permittivity orelectrical conductivity region. Similarly, sensor 101, 102 may be anacoustic sensor that can measure changes in sound, where the sonicenergy is selectively blocked by the energy regulating region 214 ofdissimilar density. Similarly, the sensor 101, 102 may be a electricalconductivity sensor or electrode that can measure changes in electricalconductivity, where the electrical conductivity through the skin or bodyis selectively blocked by the energy regulating region 214 via anelectrically insulating region. Similarly, the regulating region 214 maycover at least one emitter, detector, or combination of both. Similarly,sensor 101, 102 may be an optical sensor, and the energy regulatingregion 214 may include at least one mechanical structure, such as aflap, lever, membrane, or the like, for vibrating with physical motion.This vibration would modulate the optical energy in proportion to bodymotion. In some embodiments, the elements of FIGS. 7A-7B may beintegrated into a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device. In eachcase, changes in energy scatter from the energy regulating region 214are predominantly associated with motion artifacts, whereas changes inenergy scatter from the unregulated regions contains information on bothphysiological status and motion.

Monitoring apparatus and components thereof, according to embodiments ofthe present invention, can be fabricated by standard manufacturingtechniques, including, but not limited to, injection molding, forming,extrusion, coating, and the like. In some embodiments, a sensor region204 may be molded over sensor elements 101, 102 to yield a tight fitbetween these components. For optical sensors, the material composingthe sensor region 204 is at least partially transparent to the relevantoptical wavelengths. An energy regulating region 214 may be coated ontothe surface 204 a of a sensor region 204, incorporated into the materialof the sensor region 204, or selectively deposited onto portions of thesensor region 204 or components thereof. Dielectric coatings and filmsmay be utilized as coated energy regulating regions. For example,polyethylene film may be used to block UV light, and organic films andmaterials may be used to selectively pass light. For example, thematerials in developed photographic film and certain dyes may pass IRlight and reject other wavelengths. Similarly, Bragg reflector regionsmay be used to pass or reject certain wavelengths. In some embodiments,an energy regulating region 214 may be the same material as a sensorregion 204. For example, optical-pass materials, such visible-pass,IR-pass plastics and UV-block plastics (such as polyethylene), may besuitable for regulating optical energy and may constitute at least partof the material used in a sensor region 204. In some embodiments, thematerial of a sensor region 204 may be doped and/or selectively dopedwith another material for regulating energy flow. Plastics and rubber asbase materials may be ideal due to the soft, comfortable feel againstthe skin and the ability to form-fit these materials under compression.

In some embodiments of the present invention, a monitoring apparatushousing may have a plurality of sensor regions, each configured tocontact a respective selected area of the body of the subject when thehousing is attached to the body of the subject. Each sensor region maybe contoured (i.e., “form-fitted”) to matingly engage a respectiveselected body area. One or more physiological sensors 101 may beassociated with each respective sensor region and configured to detectand/or measure physiological information from the subject. For example,as illustrated in FIGS. 11A-11B, the monitoring apparatus 200 of FIG. 4Amay have a plurality of sensor regions 204, each configured to contact arespective selected area of the ear E of a subject when the housing 202is attached to the ear. Each sensor region is contoured (i.e.,“form-fitted”) to matingly engage a respective selected ear region.

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate a monitoring apparatus 200 in the form of anearbud module, according to other embodiments of the present invention.The illustrated apparatus 200 is essentially identical to the monitoringapparatus 200 of FIG. 4A except for the shape of the housing 202, whichhas a different configuration and which includes a sensor region 204that is more bulbous than the sensor region 204 of FIG. 4A. The bulboussensor region 204 is configured to fit snuggly between the anti tragusand acoustic meatus of a human ear. Because human ears have differentshapes, different geometries of the sensor region 204 may be necessaryfor stabilizing the housing 202 within an ear E. For example, the sensorregion 204 of FIG. 5C is smaller in size than the sensor region 204depicted in FIG. 5B.

FIG. 6 illustrates a monitoring apparatus 200 according to someembodiments of the present invention having a housing 202 that isconfigured to be attached to the ear of a subject and that includes aplurality of interchangeable articles 212 a-212 c, each configured to beremovably secured to the housing one at a time and each having arespective different shape. Each article 212 a-212 c is adapted tocontact a selected ear area. One of the articles 212 a-212 c is selecteddepending on the shape of an ear in which the housing 202 is to beattached. For example, larger ears may require a larger article 212 b,and curvier ears may require a curvier article 212 c.

In some embodiments, these interchangeable articles 212 a-212 c may besensor regions 204, as described above. In other embodiments, theseinterchangeable articles 212 a-212 c may be used only to providestability to the housing 202 when attached to an ear. When used assensor regions, each article 212 a-212 c may have variouscharacteristics (e.g., block or filter certain types of energy, focuslight, etc.) as described above. In addition, each article 212 a-212 cmay include one or more physiological and/or environmental sensors.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A-8D, a monitoring apparatus 200, according toother embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. Theillustrated monitoring apparatus 200 is an earbud module with a housing202 having a portion 220 configured to removably receive a detachablesensor region 204 therein via connector 208. The sensor region 204 maycontain one or more physiological sensors and/or one or moreenvironmental sensors. In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor region204 includes a physiological sensor 101 and an environmental sensor 102.These sensors may be spread out throughout the length of the sensorregion 204 to provide a wider angle of sensor area such that motionartifacts have less of an impact on physiological sensing. In someembodiments, at least one sensor 101, 102 may be an optical sensor witha diffuse optical emitter. OLEDs and phosphor-coated LED sources areexamples of diffuse optical emitters.

Referring to FIGS. 9A-9C, a monitoring apparatus 200, according to otherembodiments of the present invention, is illustrated. The illustratedmonitoring apparatus 200 is an earbud module with a housing 202 that isconfigured to be rotatably secured to a headset 300. The headset 300includes a projecting portion 302 extending outwardly, as illustrated inFIG. 9C. This projecting portion 302 is configured to be inserted withina cavity 203 in the earpiece housing 202. This configuration allows theearbud module housing 202 and headset housing 300 to rotate relative toeach other about axis A₁. Rotation may be needed to adjust the positionof a microphone within the headset 300 relative to a mouth of a user. Inthe illustrated embodiment, an electrical connector 212 is shown andthat extends from one or more sensors 101, 102 in the sensor region 204through the projecting portion 302 for connecting the one or moresensors 101, 102 to a processor 103 or other component(s) in the headsethousing 300.

The illustrated earbud module housing 202 includes a bulbous sensorregion 204, similar to that described and illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5B.The bulbous sensor region 204 is configured to fit snuggly between theanti tragus and acoustic meatus of a human ear. The bulbousconfiguration of sensor region 204 allows the sensor region 204 toremain stable when the earbud module housing 202 and headset housing 300rotate relative to each other about axis A₁. Stabilization provided bythe sensor region 204 may be important because the swivel action mayotherwise impart motion artifacts upon sensor(s) 101, 102 in the sensorregion 204.

Referring to FIGS. 10A-10C, a monitoring apparatus, according to otherembodiments of the present invention, is illustrated. The illustratedmonitoring apparatus is a headset 300 with an earbud module 200 and anear hook 105 for securing the headset 300 to the ear of a user.Different sizes and shapes of ears may require different earbud sizesand shapes. For this reason, a detachable cover 230 is removably securedto the earbud module housing 202, as shown in FIGS. 10B-10C. Detachablecovers of various sizes may be provided, according to embodiments of thepresent invention. As such an earbud module may be custom fit to aparticular ear of a user by selecting a cover 230 having a shape thatbest matches the shape of a user ear.

Referring now to FIG. 12, an optical sensor module 400 that may beincorporated into a sensor region 204 of a monitoring apparatus,according to embodiments of the present invention, is illustrated. Theillustrated optical sensor module 400 includes at least one opticalemitter 402 and a plurality of optical detectors 404. Covering theoptical emitter 402 and detectors 404 is at least one lens 406. The lens406 includes an optical regulating region 408 that prevents at least oneregion of the optical sensor module 400 from receiving light scatteredby physiological material. The optical regulating region 408 may belocated at any region that prevents optical energy having physiologicalinformation from reaching at least one detector 404. In the illustratedembodiment, the optical regulating region 408 is at least partiallyreflective of light.

In other embodiments, the optical sensor module 400 may include morethan one optical emitter 402 and at least one optical detector 404 togenerate equal results, as long as the optical energy from the at leastone optical emitter 402 is regulated by at least one energy regulatingregion 408. In some embodiments, the optical emitter 402 and detectors404 may be isolated by an optical blocking material to prevent unwantedoptical signals from triggering the optical detectors.

Referring to FIGS. 11A-11B, a monitoring apparatus 200 in the form of anearbud module includes a housing 202 that is configured to be attachedto the ear E of a subject. The housing 202 includes multiple sensorregions 204, 204′, 204″ that are configured to contact respectiveselected areas of an ear E when the housing 202 is attached to the earE. Each sensor region 204, 204′, 204″ is contoured to matingly engage arespective selected ear area. At least one physiological sensor and/orenvironmental sensor is associated with each sensor region that isconfigured to detect and/or measure physiological and/or environmentalinformation from the subject. The use of multiple sensor regions 204,204′, 204″ facilitates the extraction of motion artifacts fromphysiological sensor readings. In the illustrated embodiment, sensorregion 204 includes sensors for detecting physiological and/orenvironmental information. Sensor regions 204′ and/or 204″ may beassociated with sensors for detecting motion. For example, in someembodiments, signals detected at the motion sensor regions 204′ may beused to detect speech to facilitate noise cancellation and/or sensorregions 204″ may be used to detect generalized motion of the human body,such as motion during writing, clapping, walking, jogging, running, orthe like. This description of sensor regions is not meant to limit theinvention. A variety of spatial sensor configurations may be used toextract physiological information and reduce noise.

Monitoring apparatus, according to embodiments of the present invention,may include sensor regions associated with reflection-mode sensorsand/or sensor regions associated with transmission-mode sensors. Theterm “reflection-mode” refers to a method of measuring physiologicalinformation with scattered excitation energy that has not fullypenetrated a part of the body of a subject. The term “transmission-mode”refers to a method of measuring physiological information with scatteredexcitation energy that has fully penetrated at least one part of thebody of a subject. FIGS. 13A-13B illustrate a transmission-mode earbudmodule 200. The earbud module 200 is attached to a headset 300. A pairof sensor regions 204 are in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship, asillustrated, with one sensor region 204 on the earbud module 200 and theother sensor region 204 on the headset 300. These sensor regions 204 areconfigured to pass energy from one to the other when the tragus regionof an ear E of a subject is positioned between these sensor regions. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the earbud module 200 and headset 300 alsoinclude sensor regions 204′ in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship. Inthis configuration, the anti tragus can be positioned between the twosensor regions 204′ for emitting and detecting energy.

Embodiments of the present invention may be utilized in form-factorsother than traditional earbud designs. FIGS. 14A-14B illustrate a sensorregion in an earmuff 400, where the sensor region 204 is part of theearmuff form-factor. The sensor region 204 is located in the earmuff 400such that the sensor region 204 is in proximity to at least one regionof the ear E of a subject.

Health and environmental monitors, according to embodiments of thepresent invention, enable low-cost, real-time personal health andenvironmental exposure assessment monitoring of various health factors.An individual's health and environmental exposure record can be providedthroughout the day, week, month, or the like. Moreover, because thehealth and environmental sensors can be small and compact, the overallsize of an apparatus, such as an earpiece, can remain lightweight andcompact. The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and isnot to be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few exemplaryembodiments of this invention have been described, those skilled in theart will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in theexemplary embodiments without materially departing from the teachingsand advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of this invention asdefined in the claims. The invention is defined by the following claims,with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.

That which is claimed is:
 1. An earpiece module comprising a pluralityof sensor regions, each sensor region contoured to matingly engage arespective different region of an ear of a subject, wherein each sensorregion comprises an electrode, and wherein the earpiece module isconfigured to detect or measure physiological information about thesubject from the different ear regions via the respective electrodes. 2.The earpiece module of claim 1, further comprising at least one motionsensor configured to detect subject motion.
 3. The earpiece module ofclaim 1, further comprising a sensor configured to detect electricalconductivity changes during subject motion.
 4. The earpiece module ofclaim 3, wherein the sensor for detecting electrical conductivitychanges is configured to detect motion between the earpiece module andthe subject.
 5. The earpiece module of claim 1, wherein the electrodesare configured to measure changes in electric fields.
 6. The earpiecemodule of claim 1, further comprising at least one energy regulationregion configured to selectively block energy moving to and/or from oneor more regions of the ear and to provide subject motion informationwithout corruption from subject physiological information.
 7. Theearpiece module of claim 6, wherein the at least one energy regulationregion is configured to block optical energy.
 8. The earpiece module ofclaim 6, wherein the at least one energy regulation region is configuredto block electrical energy.
 9. The earpiece module of claim 6, whereinthe at least one energy regulation region is configured to block anelectric field.
 10. The earpiece module of claim 1, wherein the earpiecemodule is an earbud module.
 11. The earpiece module of claim 1, whereinthe earpiece module is a hearing aid.
 12. The earpiece module of claim1, wherein the earpiece module is an earmuff or jewelry.
 13. Theearpiece module of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality ofsensor regions is configured to engage the concha region of the ear, andat least one of the plurality of sensor regions is configured to engagethe ear canal region of the ear.
 14. The earpiece module of claim 1,wherein at least one of the plurality of sensor regions is configured toengage the anti-tragus region of the ear, and at least one of theplurality of sensor regions is configured to engage the ear canal regionof the ear.
 15. The earpiece module of claim 1, wherein at least one ofthe plurality of sensor regions is configured to engage the ear canalregion of the ear, and at least one of the plurality of sensor regionsis configured to engage the ear between the anti-tragus region of theear and the acoustic meatus region of the ear.
 16. The earpiece moduleof claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensor regions isconfigured to engage the concha region of the ear, and wherein at leastone of the plurality of sensor regions is configured to engage the earbetween the anti-tragus region of the ear and the acoustic meatus regionof the ear.
 17. A method of monitoring a subject via an earpiece module,the earpiece module having a plurality of sensor regions, each sensorregion having an electrode, the method comprising: positioning theearpiece module within an ear of the subject, wherein each sensor regionis contoured to matingly engage a respective different region of theear; and detecting or measuring physiological information about thesubject from the different ear regions via the respective electrodes.18. The method of claim 17, wherein the earpiece module includes atleast one motion sensor, and wherein the method further comprisesdetecting subject motion via the at least one motion sensor.
 19. Themethod of claim 18, further comprising detecting motion between theearpiece module and the subject via the at least one motion sensor. 20.The method of claim 17, wherein the earpiece module further comprises asensor configured to detect electrical conductivity changes, and whereinthe method further comprises detecting electrical conductivity changesduring subject motion.
 21. The method of claim 19, wherein the earpiecemodule includes at least one energy regulation region, and wherein themethod further comprises blocking energy from moving to and/or from oneor more of the ear regions via the at least one energy regulation regionto provide subject motion information without corruption from subjectphysiological information.